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Steven Mark Peterson

Steven Mark Peterson, better known as Rabi, age 57, of Olivia died Wednesday June 18, 2014 at his home in Olivia, MN. The mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday 10:30 a.m. at St Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia with interment at the church cemetery following. Visitation will be Sunday 4-8 p.m. at St Aloysius Church in Olivia MN and one hour prior to service. Arrangements are by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Olivia. To honor the memory and life of this spectacular, one of a kind man, in lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Ronald McDonald House or St. Marys School, Bird Island.

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Rabi was born on November 13, 1956 at Olivia hospital in Olivia, MN to Paul and Marie (Graupman) Peterson. He graduated from Olivia High School in 1974. He helped with the family farm while attending school and became a full time farmer upon graduation and moved to his current home on the day after graduation. He married his high school sweetheart, Susan Anne Sheehan, at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bird Island on June 5, 1976. To this union were born three wonderful children, Erik, Abby & Holly. These three blessings have been a tremendous source of pride for Rabi, as they continue to reach heights that could only be dreamed of for children including each of them finding mates that brought equally joy to Rabi. Three precious grandchildren have added to this joy while bringing a new sense of pride in a life well-lived.

Besides his family, Rabis passions included farming, hunting, cars, snowmobiling and people. A true farmer at heart, Rabi thoroughly enjoyed the good days and the bad days of farming. His attitude and hard work created Peterson Farms from basically nothing at the start to the viable modern operation it is today. Even during times of ill health, he watched with excitement as crops were planted, raised and harvested. His passion for nature and hunting will continue on with the acreage he set aside and developed to encourage wildlife habitat. His annual trips to the Ista Ranch in Wyoming for deer hunting with friends were a favorite and also became a bonding experience with his son Erik. Cars were a passion for Rabi from the time he started driving at 8 years old. One of his favorite past times was dealing on the next vehicle for himself or his family. There was seldom a vehicle that crossed 100,000 miles (only when children needed to learn the lesson of how to appreciate older, starter vehicles). Car dealers loved Rabi, not only for the frequency of his trades but for the care he exercised on any vehicle in his fleet. He worked at Olivia Sports Center for years working on snowmobiles and also took many snowmobile trips with friends. Rabi, much like his father Paul, had a passion for genuine interaction with other people. He could strike up and carry on a conversation with anyone and was a master of turning small talk into memorable moments. Everyone has a Rabi story, even if they only talked to him for a few minutes. This was a truly unique talent which created cherished memories of Rabi that will stand the test of time.

Left to carry on his passions are his wife of 38 years, Susie and their three children, Erik and Sabrina Peterson along with their son Deklan of St. Charles, MO., Abby and Rob Thurston and their daughters Mara and Ellie of Olivia MN, and Holly Peterson and her fianc Randy Johnson of St. Cloud, MN. He is also survived by his mother, Marie Peterson of Olivia, his brother Brad (and wife Patti) of Willmar, MN, their children Mark (and Monique) Peterson & Missy (and Ben) Kodet and their children and sister Laura (and Rick) Aanerud of Montevideo, MN and their daughters Amanda (and Travis) and Olivia Ziegler, Kayla and Nicole.

Rabi was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, Paul Peterson, father-in-law, Fabe Sheehan and brother-in-law, David Tufts.